OVER 100 young football fanatics gathered at the Walgett PCYC on Tuesday 7 February at 5pm to meet and train with NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler and NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder.

The famous Rugby League coaches visited Walgett as part of their annual Hogs for the Homeless tour of regional NSW.

One in 200 people are homeless in Australia on any given night, including more than 47,000 young people who struggle with fear and hunger on a daily basis.

It was with this in mind that in 2013, NSW True Blues Brad Fittler and Nathan Hindmarsh conceived the idea of Hogs For The Homeless. The pair, with the support of the NSWRL, enlisted the help of other former Rugby League players for what would become an annual fundraiser, riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycles throughout country NSW.

Senior Activity Officer at Walgett PCYC Pam Abel said both young boys and girls took place in the free rugby league football clinic.

"The NSW Blues coaches made sure everyone was involved for an afternoon full of football skills and drills. It was great to see a large turn- out of kids and parents come and take part in what really was a great afternoon of football," Miss Abel said.

The afternoon of football consisted of teaching footballers the basic skills.

"They taught many skills of the game including running, passing, catching, tackling and scoring a try.

"The kids love sporting clinics like this, and to meet Brad Fittler and Kylie Hilder is an awesome opportunity for kids from the far west. Both Brad and Kylie are huge influences within the Rugby League community, so it was great to see them travel all the way to Walgett and get to know the kids and the community. They gave out over 100 footballs and other merchandise. It was a great experience for the kids and they felt very privileged to be involved," she said.

ABOVE: Children from Walgett awaiting eagerly for instructions from the NSW coaches in the free football coaching clinic. PHOTO: NSWRL.

NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler says rugby league is more than just passing a football.

"Rugby league has been a massive part of my life since I was a kid and I'm very grateful for all the opportunities it has provided me with," Mr Fittler said.

"It's such a great sport that teaches important qualities around teamwork, trust and leadership and all you really do end up with friends for life from it.

"It's my dream to see every kid in NSW with a Rugby League ball in their hand and I encourage all players- whether you've been a Rugby League participant all your life, or you're signing up for the first time- to register with your local club for the 2023 season.

ABOVE: Over 100 children were star- struck by NSW Blues coaches Brad Fittler and Kylie Hilder. PHOTO: NSWRL.

The annual tour includes travelling more than 5200km to carry out 11 free football clinics as far south as Albury; to Bourke in Western NSW, and Lismore in northern NSW.

"I'm looking forward to seeing all the NSW fans around our state over the next two weeks and I'm confident that with your support we can turn 2023 into another record-breaking season for the NSWRL," Mr Fittler said.